Fic: Teach me to love [part 2 of 5]
Title: Teach Me to Love
Author: bleedforyou1
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Beta: vanessawolfie & wendypops
Word count: 10, 903 [posted in 5 parts]
Warnings: epilogue-compliant (kinda)
Summary: Draco Malfoy never thought he'd have to share a school with Harry Potter again. Nor did he think it was possible for the git to drive Draco even more insane.
Start here
The next day, Draco looked up from his desk to see Limmy, the House Elf that nearly always attended to Draco, pop in and hand him some piping hot tea.
“Thank you, Limmy. I really need this at the moment,” Draco said gratefully, taking the tea from her small hands. “How are you today?”
“Limmy is well, thank you. How is Headmaster today?”
Draco sighed and brushed a single strand of hair back behind his ear. “I’m doing all right, I suppose. Just so much work, you know? Anyhow, are the menus for this week done yet?”
“Yes sir, here they are.” She snapped her fingers and a few more papers floated onto Draco’s desk, joining the million others that were sitting there already.
“Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day; I’ll see you for my nightcap tonight.”
“Yes sir.” Limmy smiled and popped back out. Draco sighed and started to go back to his paperwork, but he was interrupted again by the small clock above his desk going off-noon. Standing up, Draco put on his robes on top of his collared shirt and made his way out of the office.
He had decided to peek into the new professor’s class and considering this would be his third year class, there would be nothing too strenuous going on, hopefully. He noticed that the door was open and was surprised-professors rarely ever let their doors stay open during class.
Soon, he realized the door was open in order to make space. Potter had pushed all of the desks out of the way and was having the students run around, throwing a particular spell at each other. Draco soon realised it was a Freezing Charm, as many of the students suddenly froze in place and their friends came up and practised the counter curse. It was smart, to teach them that way, Draco had to admit.
He looked over to where the professor was helping one of the Slytherin girls, who kept getting the spell wrong and was getting frustrated with herself. Draco watched as Potter spoke softly and smiled at her, and in the next moment, lo and behold, she could do the spell just fine. Draco rolled his eyes, but still approved-the students were learning just fine, and that was the important part.
After watching for a few more moments, Draco saw that Potter had noticed him and was now grinning like an idiot from across the classroom. He put his thumbs up towards Draco and nodded enthusiastically. Feeling his insides bubble at the sight of a 42-year-old man still acting like a teenager, Draco simply lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug and left the room.
Turns out no students had gotten injured and his own son had only compliments for Professor Potter, so Draco decided to go easy on the man. He was teaching, and damn did Draco need a good teacher. He remembered when he had first started teaching-Potions, when McGonnogall was the only person left who would still hire him-and it had been a rocky start. He had hated his students and the students had hated him for the better part of two years.
He had gotten married then, and Astoria gave him Scorpius, the reason for Draco’s life and the thing that had caused him to become a gentler man. He had felt such a connection to his baby boy that nothing, not even his soon-after divorce from his wife, could tear them apart. Scorpius lived at his mother’s house for most of the year while Draco taught at Hogwarts and stayed with him during holidays. When Scorpius came to Hogwarts and became close friends with the Potter boy, Draco could not help but adore the Potter children as well.
Albus was quiet and solemn, while Lily was excellent at Potions, much like her namesake and James-well, James was a rambunctious but very smart young man, much like his namesake.
“Father, are you all right?” Scorpius asked.
Draco looked up to where his son was sitting across the table from him. On Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings, Draco and Scorpius set time aside from their busy schedules to spend a few hours together, mostly doing paperwork, or homework in Scorpius’ case, or simply reading and enjoying their tea.
“I’m fine, son, why do you ask?” Draco looked into those grey eyes so like his own staring at him.
Scorpius was really the son he had always wanted-tall, devastatingly handsome and wickedly smart-he had a sharp sense of ambition, but he was also warm-hearted and open, unlike any other Malfoy before him. Draco felt only pride when he saw him.
“It’s just... you seem off. Is it Professor Potter? Does it really bother you that much that he’s working here now?”
“No, no,” Draco said, shaking his head. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s complicated-our past is hard to forget, but we both want to forget it. Seeing you and Albus become the best of friends... it just reminds me of how very wrong everything was between me and Potter. He was always suspicious of me and I was always jealous of him-and now that he’s back in my vicinity, in the same halls of Hogwarts nonetheless, it seems like we’re at a standstill. I just don’t know how to act around him anymore.”
Draco stopped, unbelieving that he had just said that whole thing aloud. He had been thinking it for a few hours now, but to say it out loud, and to his son, was a completely different story. Scorpius put down his quill and stared at him and Draco felt unnerved at his son’s inquisitive gaze.
“You want to be his friend.”
“What?” Draco spluttered. “I said no such thing-”
“You don’t have to say it. I can tell-you’ve always wanted it, and now more than ever. Father, it’s not that hard. Just ask him to go out for a drink or something!”
“I, by no means, want to be Harry Potter’s friend. Nor do I want any sort of relationship other than that of boss and underling.”
“He’s not your underling.” Scorpius laughed. “And I’m sure he’d like friendship as well. Maybe you two could sit next to each other at the Quidditch match this weekend. After all, your sons are playing each other! Although, you’ll have to give my regards, considering how horribly his sons will lose.”
“Slytherin to the core, aren’t you, Scorpius?” Draco rolled his eyes. “James is an excellent Keeper though, and Albus is almost as good as you at finding the snitch; you never know-Gryffindor could beat you this time.”
Scorpius simply shook his head and grinned. “Wanna bet on it?”
“I wouldn’t bet against any team-I’m Headmaster, remember? Unbiased.”
“Fine, but whoever wins, we’re having a celebratory dinner that night-me, you, Albus, James, Lily, and Professor Potter.”
“No!”
“Yes! Or I’ll tell Grandmere about that one time, when you switched-”
“Okay, okay,” Draco interrupted him. “You blackmailing, manipulative little brat.”
“Takes one to know one.” Scorpius smirked, picking up his quill and going back to his homework. And underneath his frustration, Draco still felt that same rush of pride tingle in his nerves. He really was getting too soft these days.
*
It was slightly foggy on Saturday morning when Draco was walking towards the Quidditch rafters with Professor Longbottom at his side. The bloke had become much more charming as he grew older and Draco was even happy to call him a friend most days. Today, however, was not one of those days.
“I’m just saying... you should give him a break. I know you two have a muddled past, but maybe you’ll really like him if you get to know him!”
Neville had been attempting to get Draco to lighten up on Potter all morning. As if Draco would give in so easily.
“First off, I gave him the job, didn’t I?” Draco replied, starting to ramble in his irritation. “Despite my better judgement. Secondly, why should I even be more than polite towards him? It’s not very professional to just be Best Friends Forever with one of the professors. I am his boss-people may think I’m giving him preferential treatment! Third, I can’t quite let go of the fact he’s still an annoying, attention-seeking prat that lives to bother me. And lastly, why is everyone always on his side?! Why does everyone always pit me against him, causing me to look like the bad guy just because I’m not friends with him?”
The entire time Draco had been talking, there had been a slight smirk on Neville’s lips and Draco found it highly out of place on the Herbology Professor’s face.
“Because you act like being friends with him would kill you? Look just-relax, you know? You’re too tense! You strut about the castle like you’re going to murder someone these days.” Neville clapped him on the shoulder and Draco stumbled slightly.
“I’m leaving. I’ll sit alone at the match.” Draco sneered. “Not with you or Potter or any other Potter-worshipping people.”
“Suit yourself.” Neville laughed. “I’ll go sit with Trelawney then-at least she’s a laugh.”
Draco rolled his eyes but watched fondly as Neville walked away. He was a good friend, albeit totally incorrect about the whole be-friends-with-Potter thing. Could anyone besides Draco see the git beyond the fame and charm? Merlin, even his own son liked the man!
At times like this, I really miss old Snape, Draco thought as he sat down underneath the covered Professor’s rafters and pulled his cloak tighter around him lamely. At least he would understand why I can’t just be friends that prat.
The match was off to a rocky start-the first play was a foul when the beaters of the Gryffindor team got into a fight with the Slytherin chasers. Draco was amused to see Potter wasn’t even there. Draco had thought he’d be the first and loudest to come by, sporting gaudy Gryffindor colours and a Weasley scarf or some other horrendous accessory.
“Well ‘ello there, Headmaster Malfoy!”
Potter suddenly appeared, as if called on by Draco’s thoughts, and sat down next to him. Did he fucking Apparate here or something?! Draco thought in annoyance as Potter grinned at him.
“Fine morning for a game, isn’t it?”
“Shove off, Potter,” Draco said, his voice as cold as ice. Potter, however, completely ignored him, making himself comfortable on the bench.
“Damn, I’m late. Anything exciting happen while I was gone? I really had to go grab a cup of hot chocolate. It used to be tradition for Ron, Hermione and me whenever we weren’t playing in the game. Then, I thought, why not grab you a cup as well?”
Draco stared at Potter, then looked down at the steaming cup of hot chocolate in his hands.
“What? Don’t tell me that you don’t like chocolate just to make me leave because I know that’s not true.”
Draco clenched his teeth and looked way, holding out his hand for the cup. Only because I believe in not wasting food, Draco thought bitterly.
“I really wish you’d keep your promise to ‘stay out of my way’,” Draco commented as a few more brutal plays happened in front of them on the pitch.
“You and I both knew I didn’t really intend to keep that promise.” Potter laughed. “It’s much too fun to pester you.”
“I really hate you, Potter,” Draco muttered. His heart seized for a moment as he watched a bludger miss Scorpius’ head by an inch.
“It’s hard watching them in danger, isn’t it? Even if it is just for fun,” Potter cut in. “I remember once when James fell and skinned his knee and I nearly had a heart attack.”
“Children are prone to danger. We can’t get them out of all painful situations-otherwise they’ll never learn.”
“Yeah, and I highly doubt our kids would listen even if we did try to stop them.”
Potter’s laugh was annoyingly dorky and still slightly charming and it made Draco roll his eyes. “Of course, we did even worse when we were teenagers, and it’s not like a game of Quidditch has anything on fighting a full-fledged battle against an evil overlord and his minions.”
“True,” Potter said lightly. “I’m thankful that they won’t have to deal with the kind of horrid nightmare of a childhood as we did.”
“Why are you sitting here, Potter?” Draco asked, cringing when Albus nearly flew into another teammate.
“Because I have a secret plan to try and brainwash you into becoming friends with me.” Potter grinned, shoving his shoulder into Draco’s. “And, Score and Albus told me that we’d all be having dinner tonight-thought I may as well come sit with you now.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable. My time is now being occupied by Potters. What has my life become?”
“Wonderful? Amazing? Great to the highest degree?” Potter snickered.
“Shut up and let me enjoy the match, Potter.” Draco scowled as the game went on.
They sat in silence-at first uncomfortable for Draco, but then it was all right with all the cheering going on-and watched as their sons played against each other just like they had all those years ago. Draco was so into the game that he had broken the silence first, yelling to Potter about how amazing a play was.
“I know! Merlin, they’re so good! Hell of a lot better than we were!”
“I can’t believe it-they’re good enough to go pro if they wanted to,” Draco replied, eagerly watching as the seekers chased after the golden glint.
“I miss it,” Potter said lowly, his voice close to Draco’s ear. “I miss fighting you for the snitch-it was the best when you and I played-like we were at each other’s throats.”
“It was rather exhilarating, wasn’t it?” Draco started to smile, but caught himself and looked away, back towards the pitch, just as the game ended.
Both Harry and Draco stood up in amazement, watching as Albus made a spectacular play and caught the snitch with outstretched fingers just as Scorpius tumbled into him. They both were knocked off their brooms and suddenly James was barrelling towards them, catching them against his own broom. Draco watched, paralyzed with fear as both Albus and Scorpius held on for dear life.
“Wait.” Draco stopped Potter as he began to reach for his wand. The other teammates flew by and helped Albus and Scorpius, flying them to the safety of the ground, where both boys tackled each other, laughing and playing around like the teenage boys they were. The snitch glittered in Albus’ hand.
“That was...” Potter swallowed and Draco nodded.
“Brilliant.”
Potter looked at him then, cheeks flushed in excitement and a grin stretching widely across his lips and Draco thought he’d never seen something so... free as the light in Potter’s green eyes. Damn his charm.
*
“Father, can you pass the lemonade?” Scorpius asked, a smile playing at his lips as he stared down the table at Draco.
Draco barely contained his annoyance as he flicked his wand, allowing the pitcher of lemonade to slowly drift towards his son. The table in Draco’s living quarters now had five high-backed chairs around it, and the table had been altered to become a circle rather than the rectangle it usually was. Amazing how even the school itself would not allow Draco any upper-hand against Potter.
“The chicken is fantastic,” Potter commented, looking up and smiling at Draco from across the table.
“It’s pretty awesome,” James said, wolfing down the food as if he had never eaten in his life.
“Careful James, you’ll choke.” Albus laughed, nudging his brother. “Score, hand over the peas, will ya?”
“Sure, of course, anything for the winner,” Scorpius said sarcastically, but with a smile.
It was all downright horrifying to Draco. The homeliness and sense of belonging. What was this, a dinner at the Weasley’s? Draco shuddered.
“You cold, Draco?”
Draco’s eyes snapped up to meet Potter’s, who was smiling. “What did you just call me?” Draco demanded.
Potter rolled his eyes. “Tell me I don’t have to call you Headmaster Malfoy when we’re just having dinner with our kids.”
“No, but you’ve never...” Draco stopped and took a deep breath, hoping he didn’t sound like an idiot. “You’ve never called me Draco before.”
Potter shrugged. “Have I not? Ah well. Will there be dessert?”
“I never knew you had such a sweet tooth, Potter,” Draco said, rolling his eyes. He still didn’t know how he felt being called by his first name by Potter. “First the hot chocolate, and now dessert?”
“You had hot chocolate together?” Scorpius interrupted, staring at Draco with a smirk. “How nice!”
“Shut up,” Draco retorted, sneering at his son.
*
The dinner had been, well, just a dinner. Draco was shocked to see that there had been no brutal hexes or punches thrown and the night wrapped quite... normally. It was almost as if it were an ordinary circumstance to have dinner with the Potters.
“See? We didn’t kill each other,” Potter said, smiling as he put on his cloak and turned towards the door. The boys had already left for their respective dormitories, and Potter had hung back to finish his glass of wine.
“Yes, I suppose not,” Draco admitted. “Maybe it wasn’t that bad.”
“Enough to do it again?” Potter asked, raising an eyebrow. “We could always go out for a pint in Hogsmeade or something-like normal people do.”
Draco swallowed thickly. He had surely lost his mind. He couldn’t actually be thinking of it... could he?
“I... I suppose that would be acceptable. So long as you don’t embarrass me.”
“Me? Never!” Potter grinned mischievously and Draco had a strange feeling flutter in the pit of his belly. Must be the wine. “Next Saturday then. Goodnight, Headmaster Malfoy.”
“Goodnight,” Draco said, watching as Potter tipped his head and left.
Draco closed the door behind him and shook his head in wonder. He had definitely lost his mind.
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